Saints Insider

The New Orleans Saints finish up their preseason schedule Sunday at home against the Tennessee Titans, and so it's the final time for players to impress the coaching staff to make the 53-man roster. Our Saints Insider crew of Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing breaks down what to watch for in the Titans game, touching on: • The plan at quarterback • The competition for the final starting spot at safety • Could the Saints really go with Charlie Smyth at kicker? • Final roster battles to watch #saints #saintsnation #nfl #nflpreseason

The New Orleans Saints are back in town and wrapping up training camp this week before their final preseason game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Our Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing go through some reasons for optimism and reasons for pessimism they've gained through camp — good new for the Saints and bad news for the Saints. We cover: • Pass rush • Offensive line • Taysom Hill • Depth at running back and wide receiver • New offensive scheme And much more. #saints #saintsnation #nfl #nflpreseason

The New Orleans Saints received a double dose of bad news Thursday during and after their most recent training camp practice, with rookie offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga leaving practice with a back injury and Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, whom the Saints courted in free agency, signed instead with the Saints' hated rival and the NFC South favorites, the Atlanta Falcons. All of that provides a backdrop to preseason game No. 2, which sees the Saints travel to face the San Francisco 49ers. Saints Insiders Luke Johnson and Jeff Duncan discuss the Fuaga and Simmons situations and dive into what they expect to see from the Saints in the Bay Area in this episode of Saints Insider, live from California. #saints #saintsnation #nfl #nflpreseason #49ers

On today's episode of Saints Insider, we play a game called "Buy or Sell?" Our experts, beat writer Matthew Paras and columnist Jeff Duncan, come to you live from Southern California, where the Saints are holding training camp, to answer whether they're BUYING or SELLING each of the following: • Cam Jordan pass rushing from the inside • The Saints replacing Trevor Penning at right tackle • Whether the safety rotation needs Justin Simmons • If the offense will start the regular season slow #saints #nfl #nfltrainingcamp #saintsnation

The New Orleans Saints play their first preseason game of 2024 on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals, but much of the talk the past couple of days at training camp has centered on free-agent safety Justin Simmons, who is visiting the team and may sign a contract to bolster the Saints' secondary. Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras break down the chances Simmons signs with New Orleans, what he would bring to the team and much more on this episode of Saints Insider, including: • Which camp injury is the most concerning • Which quarterback will start against Arizona • How much Chase Young will play in the preseason • Why the punter battle might be more interesting than the kicker battle #saints #saintsnation #nfl #nfltrainingcamp #nflpreseason

The New Orleans Saints have an off day from training camp Tuesday, so the Saints Insiders are here to break down what's been going on in Southern California. In this episode, Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras break down: • How Spencer Rattler is making the backup QB battle a real competition • Why Chris Olave might turn into a national star in Year 3 • Whether the offensive line is improving • How concerned they are about the rash of Saints camp injuries#saints #saintsnation #nfl #nfltrainingcamp

Eight practices into New Orleans Saints training camp, we can start to make some conclusions about what we've seen. The Times-Picayune's Saints Insiders Luke Johnson and Rod Walker are here to do just that, talking about the under-the-radar players they've been most impressed with, the backup quarterback battle between Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener and the most intriguing storylines from camp thus far. Live from Southern California, it's the Saints Insider. #saints #saintsnation #nfl #nfltrainingcamp

Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras record the latest Saints Insider episode live from Southern California, where the New Orleans Saints have wrapped up their first week of training camp, including three practices in full pads. So what have we learned? Is the defensive line dominant, or the offensive line just that bad? Who has stood out, and what's the latest on camp injuries? #saints #nfl #nfloffseason #saintsnation

The New Orleans Saints head off to Irvine, California, for three weeks of training camp starting Wednesday. Before our Saints Insider crew follows them west, we're here to preview the camp, including: • Whether going away for camp is an advantage • Top position battles to watch • Klint Kubiak's offensive install • Dennis Allen is trying to change his ways • How much has the defense slipped? • Alvin Kamara's contract situation, offensive line, final free agents and more #saints #nfl #nfloffseason #nfltrainingcamp #hardknocks

With training camps opening across the NFL next week, we spent one of our last offseason podcasts looking at the season ahead, specifically at the NFC playoff picture. Each of our Saints Insiders — Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing — ranked the NFC teams, 1 through 16. We then tallied up the votes and divvied the teams into tiers: Pretenders, long shots, contenders and favorites. Who do we have representing the NFC for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans? And who could the surprise playoff teams be? Here's our best guess. #nfl #nfloffseason #saints #49ers #lions #commanders #vikings #packers #bears #cowboys #eagles #giants #falcons #buccaneers #panthers #seahawks #rams #cardinals

The New Orleans Saints have several players entering the 2024 season in a contract year, i.e., the final year of their current contract. They range from role players to possible stars on one-year prove-it deals. Given their usual salary cap restraints, the Saints will have to make tough decisions on these six players, and in turn the players could earn huge paydays — or a ticket out of town — based on their performance in 2024. Our Saints Insider crew of Luke Johnson, Jeff Duncan, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing break down six of those players entering their contract year in this episode. #saints #nfl #nfloffseason

The Saints Insider podcast is back with a look at various offseason NFL power rankings that have been published across the country — most of them placing the New Orleans Saints in the bottom quarter of the league. Add that to a recent ESPN story that ranks the Saints' talent under the age of 25 as the third-worst in the NFL, and you have an emerging pattern: Not many around the country think the Saints can accomplish much in 2024. Are they being underrated, or is those dire projections accurate? Our team of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing dissect the situation and give where they would rank the Saints in NFL power rankings. #saints #saintsnation #nfl #nfloffseason

No matter how you define "breakout" — from a bench player to start, a starter to a standout, a standout to a Pro Bowler — every team has players it hopes will take a big step in their career. That's certainly true for the 2024 New Orleans Saints, who have one of the NFL's oldest rosters and need young players to improve. In today's episode, our Saints Insider staff of Luke Johnson, Jeff Duncan, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing talk about six candidates to be the Saints' 2024 breakouts. See who we chose and let us know your picks for the Saints' 2024 breakout candidates.

This isn't a list of the best New Orleans Saints players, or the most talented or most valuable. It's a list of the most important for the Saints' 2024 fortunes. We had three Saints Insiders — beat writers Matthew Paras and Luke Johnson and columnist Jeff Duncan — rank their top 10 "most important Saints," then made a composite ranking. On this episode of Saints Insider, those three, along with host Zach Ewing, give their thoughts on each of these Saints and why they could make or break the Black and Gold in the upcoming season. INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS Matthew Paras: 1. Derek Carr; 2. Klint Kubiak; 3. Taliese Fuaga; 4. Alvin Kamara; 5. Marshon Lattimore; 6. Trevor Penning; 7. Cam Jordan; 8. Chris Olave; 9. Paulson Adebo; 10. Chase Young Luke Johnson: 1. Carr; 2. Kubiak; 3. Fuaga; 4. Lattimore; 5. Jordan; 6. Penning; 7. Kamara; 8. Olave; 9. Young; 10. Tyrann Mathieu Jeff Duncan: 1. Dennis Allen; 2. Carr; 3. Fuaga; 4. Taysom Hill; 5. Carl Granderson; 6. Kendre Miller; 7. Kubiak; 8. Alontae Taylor; 9. Young; 10. Lattimore #saints #nfl #nfloffseason

Various sportsbooks have set over/under totals for various New Orleans Saints' players statistics in the 2024 season. Our Saints Insider team of beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing take a crack at some of them here, including: • Derek Carr over/under 3,450.5 yards and 21.5 touchdowns • Alvin Kamara o/u 650.5 yards, 6.5 touchdowns • Chris Olave o/u 1,125.5 yards • Chase Young o/u 7 sacks • Saints o/u 7.5 wins Let us know what you think in the comments. #saints #nfl #nfloffseason #sportsbetting

With mandatory minicamp in the rearview mirror and training camp in California up next, our Saints Insiders of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing take a swing at projecting New Orleans' 53-man roster when the regular season begins in less than three months. Who wins the big battles at wide receiver and linebacker? Any surprise cuts or additions? And who of the past two draft classes could be at risk. We discuss it all on this week's Saints Insider. #saints #nfl #nfloffseason

Star running back Alvin Kamara left the final practice of New Orleans Saints minicamp on Thursday, a move sources say was part of a contract dispute. Our Saints Insider team of Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker and host Luke Johnson breaks down the dispute, taking a look at Kamara's perspective, the Saints' perspective and everything in between. We also give our takes on Juwan Johnson's injury and what it means for the Saints and our final takeaways from minicamp. #saints #nfl #nfloffseason

Minicamp is here for the 2024 New Orleans Saints, and with it the first practices of the season for several players, including Marshon Lattimore and Alvin Kamara. They both spoke Tuesday after practice, and our Saints Insiders dissect their comments and why this is a huge year for both of them. Also covered: • Increasing pessimism on Ryan Ramczyk's injury • Battle at wide receiver with some unsung candidates • Noticeable differences in the offense

The Saints offseason is entering its final stretch, with mandatory minicamp next week the last step before training camp begins the 2024 season next month. Our Saints Insiders of Luke Johnson, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing give you some reasons they're optimistic about what the team has done this offseason — and some reasons they're discouraged. We cover: • Early impressions of Klint Kubiak's offense • Concerns about Trevor Penning and the offensive line • Reasons to believe in Trevor Penning and the offensive line • What to expect from Cam Jordan and the defensive line • Young players stepping into their own (Bryan Bresee?) • Mickey Loomis' bargain-basement offseason #saints #nfl #nfloffseason

With the New Orleans Saints announcing Thursday that Drew Brees would enter the team's Hall of Fame this fall, our Saints Insiders — Jeff Duncan, Matthew Paras, Rod Walker and host Luke Johnson — use this episode to remember Brees. We talk about how Brees was behind the scenes, what covering his games was like — and we play the what-if game with the end of Brees' career. This is the first of many Hall of Fames for Brees. Come take a walk down memory lane with us.

With two New Orleans Saints practices open to the media in the books, the Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing tackle some takeaways from OTAs: • Who benefits the most from Klint Kubiak's new offense • How the same defense can change the way it prepares, too • What Taysom Hill's new role will include — and what it won't • Has Jake Haener already won the QB2 job? • Weekly progress report on the offensive line #saints #nfl #nfloffseason

The New Orleans Saints have an older roster compared to most of the NFL, and their salary cap problems are well-documented. With that in mind, our Saints Insider crew of Rod Walker, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing tried an exercise on today's show: What if you had to draft Saints players based on their value for the next four years? Age, contract status and production were all considered, and we ended up with our top 12 Saints players for the next four years. Let us know what you think of our Saints future draft and what you would have done differently. #saints #nfl #nfloffseason

The New Orleans Saints held their first open practice of OTAs this week, and our Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing break down what they saw. One big question: Are the Saints showing us what they plan to do on the much-maligned offensive line, or are they just trying different rotations to see what works? We break that down, answer the Marshon Lattimore question, discuss Taysom Hill's ever-changing role and more. #saints #nfl #nfloffseason

The New Orleans Saints have their 2024 NFL schedule, and our Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing is here to break it down. Is a front-loaded schedule as big of a deal as it seems for the Saints? What are the most important games? We'll take our first crack at predicting a winner for all 18 games and seeing where the Saints end up in 2024. (To see video as we hold cards with our predictions, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVW2nTAiLsI) #saints #saintsnation #nfl #nfloffseason #nflschedule

The NFL schedule will be released Wednesday night. Our Saints Insider crew of Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing discuss the possibilities for the Saints' opening opponent, what they should want in their schedule and more. Also on this podcast: • Whether trying Tali Fuaga at left tackle is an experiment or a sign of something permanent • Other takeaways from rookie minicamp • Jared Goff's new deal and where Derek Carr fits in the QB salary hierarchy #saints #nfl #nfloffseason #nflschedule

Saints quarterback Derek Carr recently gave an exclusive interview off camera to the Times-Picayune. Our Saints Insider crew discusses his comments, including those on exactly how severely he was injured last season, his thoughts on the Saints' results in the NFL Draft, whether he empathizes with Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and a tense relationship with former Saints receiver Michael Thomas. Also covered in today's episode: • The Saints' offensive line situation without Andrus Peat • What to watch for at rookie minicamp • NFL schedule release is coming next week #saints #nfldraft #derekcarr #nfloffseason

After the NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints have seven new players — and still several holes on their roster. So what's next for the team? Where are the biggest needs, and how will they get filled? Could Marshon Lattimore be traded next month? Our Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing give their answers to those questions and more as the unofficial second half of the offseason begins. #saints #nfldraft #nfloffseason

The Saints Insider crew is back to dissect the NFL Draft. Our crew of Luke Johnson, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and Jeff Duncan give our report card grades for the New Orleans Saints and discuss how much the team was able to fill its needs with its seven picks, starting with first-round offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga and ending with five Day 3 picks. We'll go through pick by pick with Fuaga, second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry and surprise quarterback selection Spencer Rattler and then talk about lottery tickets late in the draft and among undrafted free agents. 0:00 Jeff Duncan on "A Life Impossible"/Introduction 13:33 First round: Taliese Fuaga 23:29 Second round: Kool-Aid McKinstry 33:07 Surprise: Spencer Rattler 44:02 Favorite Day 3 picks 53:02 Undrafted free agents 57:13 Saints sign DB Will Harris #saints #nfldraft #nfloffseason

Our Saints Insider crew of Rod Walker, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing goes through the NFL Draft, pick by pick until the New Orleans Saints' turn at No. 14. Who will we take first overall? What big trade is coming? And ultimately, who is left for the Saints to choose from? With the draft two days away, we also offer our final thoughts and predictions for draft day. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR DRAFT GIVEAWAY: Subscribe to Saints on NOLA.com YouTube channel and comment on two separate videos between now and our live show on draft night, April 25. #nfldraft #saints #nfloffseason #mockdraft

Much discussion has been given to the New Orleans Saints' first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft — and rightfully so. But what about the team's second-round pick, No. 45 overall? Our Saints Insider team of Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras, Jeff Duncan and Zach Ewing breaks down why that pick is almost as crucial as the first-rounder and what the Saints might do with it. Could it be a wide receiver? A run-stuffing defensive tackle? Or will the Saints turn elsewhere? And perhaps this is the spot most likely for one of Mickey Loomis' regular draft day trades. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR DRAFT GIVEAWAY: Subscribe to Saints on NOLA.com YouTube channel and comment on two separate videos between now and our live show on draft night, April 25.

Our Saints Insider crew of Luke Johnson, Jeff Duncan, Matthew Paras and Zach Ewing break down the top six offensive tackles available in the NFL draft, their strengths, weaknesses, style of play and the chances they're available when the Saints pick at No. 14 We dissect: • Notre Dame's Joe Alt • Penn State's Olu Fashanu • Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga • Alabama's JC Latham • Washington's Troy Fautanu • Georgia's Amarius Mims TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR DRAFT GIVEAWAY: Subscribe to Saints on NOLA.com YouTube channel and comment on two separate videos between now and our live show on draft night, April 25. 0:00 Introduction 2:31 How certain the Saints will take an OT? 3:35 Difficulty in evaluating tackles 7:57 NFL draft giveaway 8:32 Olu Fashanu, Penn State 16:31 Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State 22:48 Is Andrus Peat still a possibility in free agency? 25:53 Joe Alt, Notre Dame 29:26 Troy Fautanu, Washington 33:45 JC Latham, Alabama 41:01 Amarius Mims, Georgia 46:12 Final thoughts/verdict

The New Orleans Saints have executed a trade during the NFL Draft for 16 of the past 17 years, so why would this one be any different? Well, for one thing, the Saints may trade BACK in the first round for the first time since 1997. Our Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing discuss that possibility, as well as whether the Saints might again trade up — and what the return would be on any of those deals. We also take a look at the teams to keep an eye on who draft before the Saints — and might well determine whether a trade happens again. #saints #nfldraft #nfl TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR DRAFT GIVEAWAY: Subscribe to Saints on NOLA.com YouTube channel and comment on two separate videos between now and our live show on draft night, April 25.

All coverage of the New Orleans Saints' draft possibilities seems centered on offensive players, particularly offensive linemen. Is there any chance they take a defensive player in the first round? Our Saints Insider team of Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing discusses that possibility, including what prospects would interest the Saints and if there's any scenario in which a defensive pick is a good idea in the first round. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR DRAFT GIVEAWAY: Subscribe to Saints on NOLA.com YouTube channel and comment on two separate videos between now and our live show on draft night, April 25.

The New Orleans Saints had an amazing draft class in 2017. The six years since have been relatively barren. The 2006 class helped bring a Super Bowl to the city. They've also had several first-round busts. So is this regime good at drafting? How confident should fans be about this year's crucial NFL draft? Our Saints Insider team of Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing break it down, armed with historical data and added perspective.

Who will the New Orleans Saints take at No. 14 in the first round of the 2024 NFL mock draft? We'll run through a computer-simulated mock draft of the first 13 picks and then make our selection for the Saints. Will it be an offensive lineman like J.C. Latham, Taliese Fuaga or Olu Fashanu? Georgia tight end Brock Bowers? A receiver or defensive end? Our Saints Insider team of Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing also take a look at the Saints' second-round pick and the possibility of another New Orleans draft day trade. Luke's full mock draft: https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/saints-nfl-mock-draft-who-does-new-orleans-take-at-no-14/article_37348c10-ebad-11ee-9f95-93ebb15439f9.html

The Saints Insider podcast is back with Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing. In this episode, the crew discusses: • Takeaways from LSU's pro day • Dennis Allen's comments on Ryan Ramczyk's injury and impact on Saints' offensive line • NFL rule changes, including a new kickoff that could prove to be an advantage for the Saints • What rule changes we'd make if we were commissioner for a day.

The Saints signed defensive end Chase Young to a unique contract that offers some protections to both sides and allows New Orleans to hope to capitalize on the former No. 2 pick's potential. The news that he's having neck surgery complicates matters, but maybe it's still a risk worth taking. Our Saints Insider team of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing dissect the deal and whether it makes sense for the Saints. Also in this episode: • Cedrick Wilson's role • The backup quarterback situation and why the Saints didn't pursue Justin Fields • Which pro days are we keeping an eye on?

Michael Thomas is expected to be released by the Saints in the coming days, and our Saints Insider crew, including Jeff Duncan — whom Thomas insulted on social media upon news of his release breaking — react to his brilliant and then frustrating tenure in New Orleans. Duncan, along with host Zach Ewing, Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras, also dive into: • What's next for the Saints in what has thus far been a quiet free agency period • Potential targets for the Saints in free agency • Reaction to free agency moves and trades around the NFL • Are the Falcons rightfully the favorites in the NFC South? #saints #nflfreeagency #nfloffseason #falcons

Saints beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras return from Indianapolis and join host Zach Ewing for a post-NFL combine discussion. Included: • Is it possible the Saints finally trade down in a draft? • Who are the best fits for what Mickey Loomis and Jeff Ireland look for? In other words, the "Saints kinda guys" in this draft. • Will the first-round pick definitely be a lineman or receiver? • With the league year starting, who will the Falcons end up with at quarterback? What other free agency stories are you watching?

One offseason can turn around the fortunes of a franchise in a hurry, as evidenced by last year's Houston Texans. The New Orleans Saints need one now, and they have four good ones in their own recent history. Our Saints Insiders — Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing — relive those and how they can replicate it this year. Also on the docket: • Saints move closer to salary cap relief • Marshon Lattimore trade talk • Saints players grade the franchise through the NFLPA survey Jeff Duncan column on best Saints offseasons: https://www.nola.com/sports/jeff_duncan/history-shows-the-saints-are-overdue-for-a-big-offseason/article_f663c698-d6a7-11ee-bc47-6f05518cd105.html

With more NFL salary cap relief than expected and a new offensive coaching staff, the New Orleans Saints head to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. How will that change their approach in looking at draft prospects? And might they be more active in free agency than anticipated? Who should Saints fans be keeping an eye on during combine workouts? Our Saints Insider crew answers those questions and more on this episode, with Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing offering reaction to Derek Carr's new contract structure and the salary cap situation, plus a full preview of the combine — including our under-the-radar prospects to watch. #nfl #nflcombine #saints

The New Orleans Saints finally have their completed, overhauled offensive coaching staff this week, led by new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. What should they focus on first during the offseason? And what might the Saints learn at next week's NFL combine toward that goal? Our Saints Insider crew of Luke Johnson, Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker and Matthew Paras break it down on this episode. #saints #nfl #nfloffseason

The New Orleans Saints are expected to move their 2024 training camp to Southern California, as reported by Jeff Duncan on Thursday morning. The Saints Insider crew of Luke Johnson, Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing react to the news and break down the pros and cons. Also: • Mardi Gras floats take aim at Derek Carr, and he responds • Klint Kubiak builds out his offensive staff • An early free agency primer

With news breaking that Ronald Curry is done with the New Orleans Saints, it now appears nearly the team's entire offensive staff will change for the 2024 season. Our Saints Insider crew of Luke Johnson, Jeff Duncan and Matthew Paras breaks it down. Plus: • A happy Saints anniversary • Which New Orleans places will get the next ticket to Canton? • Super Bowl predictions #nfl #saints

Our Saints Insider experts have reported this week that the New Orleans Saints plan to restructure the contract of quarterback Derek Carr. How did they arrive at that decision, and what does it mean for the Saints' salary cap? We'll discuss that and more — including an offensive coordinator update and what to watch for at the Senior Bowl — with experts Rod Walker, Matthew Paras and Luke Johnson.

The New Orleans Saints' search for a new offensive coordinator continues. Is it time to panic? Who are the remaining candidates, and who's the favorite? Our Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing answers those questions. We also look at head coaching hires in the NFC South, how the Saints might be approaching this week's Senior Bowl and Michael Thomas' latest social media missives.

The New Orleans Saints' search for an offensive coordinator is into its second week, with six known candidates still on the board and possibly others to come. Meanwhile, the Saints must again perform salary cap gymnastics to become compliant with NFL rules. Where are they most likely to cut? What to do with players such as Marshon Lattimore, Andrus Peat and Zack Baun as well as big contracts like that of Derek Carr all represent key decisions. Our Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing have a wide-ranging discussion about both topics, as well as our predictions for Chiefs vs. Ravens and Lions vs. 49ers on NFL conference championship Sunday. #saints #nfl #nflplayoffs 0:00 Saints OC Search 10:13 How close are the Saints to hiring an OC? 15:06 Decision time coming on key players 26:49 Salary cap gymnastics again 30:46 Balancing cost, age and production. 37:50 Conference Championship Sunday.

The New Orleans Saints have requested their first three interviews for their offensive coordinator job. Who are they, and what can they tell us about the direction the Saints will go with their offense? And how attractive is the Saints job compared to the other offensive coordinator jobs around the NFL? Our Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Rod Walker and host Zach Ewing break it down and offer their predictions for who might be next. We also discuss a couple of notable — but painful — anniversaries in Saints history and offer our NFL Divisional Playoffs predictions. Rod Walker's conversation with Tommylee Lewis: https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/ex-saints-wr-tommylee-lewis-reflects-on-the-no-call/article_cece9abe-b69e-11ee-9cbe-c3d1fbe8e147.html Saints roundtable, Part I: https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/what-should-saints-look-for-in-a-new-offensive-coordinator/article_32904454-b707-11ee-94e4-afc9a1567279.html

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis held his end-of-season press conference Wednesday, and the Saints Insider crew is here to discuss their takeaways. Loomis portrayed a lot of energy and enthusiasm the day after firing three offensive coaches, including offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, and he offered a passionate defense of head coach Dennis Allen. Rod Walker, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing break it all down, discussing how much benefit of the doubt Loomis deserves and what direction he might take the coordinator hire.

Eight NFL teams are changing head coaches, including two in the NFC South, but the New Orleans Saints are sticking with Dennis Allen. That puts quite a bit of pressure on Allen and the front office to nail the offseason. What does that look like? What will the Saints prioritize? And will some big-name players be out the door? Our Saints Insider crew of Jeff Duncan, Luke Johnson, Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing dive into the issue, including the draft situation, salary cap options, staff changes and more. We also offer our updated NFL playoffs and Super Bowl picks. #saints #nflplayoffs #nfl